When a cop asks for your driver's license would you give him the number or the actual license?

If a hotel front-desk clerk asks for your license plate, would you give him the number or the actual plate. Or would you at least ask for clarification before heading to the parking lot, screwdriver in hand?

When a cop asks for your driver's license would you give him the number or the actual license?

When an insurance agent asks for your VIN, what do you give them?

This is a stupid game you're playing. The point is that any normal human should be able to infer intent based on context, and if they can't they should clarify, not rip a sticker off the bottom of their laptop.

I write all my code in the same way: I know it's bleeding obvious what I mean, and damn reality if the outcome is not what I expected.

Sadly not much of my code works, beyond "hello world!" printouts. I think it's the fault of the languages I chose... I've now functional "hello world!" progs in about 25 of them, and about nothing else works.

So, let's get this straight. The big cause behind any problem having to do with computers is that they do what you tell them, not want you meant. Humans have the capacity to determine what you mean out of what you say, and you think that we shouldn't use it? What a bunch of retards on this site.

Lots of people have pointed out (correctly) that Kevin asked for the tag and not the tag's number. But seriously, I still say this user is a cat-crowning simpleton for not being able to figure out that it's the number that's relevant and not the tiny little bit of paper that it's written on.

Which number? The all-digit ones? Or the alphanumeric one? Or whatever is in the bar code? How exactly to you email a bar code?

If you're that dense, at least take a picture of the thing and email that to him. Don't start ripping things off your computer because it has something written on it.

I write all my code in the same way: I know it's bleeding obvious what I mean, and damn reality if the outcome is not what I expected.

Sadly not much of my code works, beyond "hello world!" printouts. I think it's the fault of the languages I chose... I've now functional "hello world!" progs in about 25 of them, and about nothing else works.

So, let's get this straight. The big cause behind any problem having to do with computers is that they do what you tell them, not want you meant. Humans have the capacity to determine what you mean out of what you say, and you think that we shouldn't use it? What a bunch of retards on this site.

I write all my code in the same way: I know it's bleeding obvious what I mean, and damn reality if the outcome is not what I expected.

Sadly not much of my code works, beyond "hello world!" printouts. I think it's the fault of the languages I chose... I've now functional "hello world!" progs in about 25 of them, and about nothing else works.

So, let's get this straight. The big cause behind any problem having to do with computers is that they do what you tell them, not want you meant. Humans have the capacity to determine what you mean out of what you say, and you think that we shouldn't use it? What a bunch of retards on this site.

Lots of people have pointed out (correctly) that Kevin asked for the tag and not the tag's number. But seriously, I still say this user is a cat-crowning simpleton for not being able to figure out that it's the number that's relevant and not the tiny little bit of paper that it's written on.

Remember folks: retard users cost us time and money. Why try to defend these idiots? I see no vindication for mindless stupidity.

I'm a little torn - sure the guy's an idiot, but you have to expect that any crowd has some of them; blame the idiot for being one or IT guy for not expecting it? I dunno.

That's one thing you learn pretty quickly in tech support - there are users out there who will take your commands literally.

"What's written on your screen?" - "Samsung"

Which sometimes had me give some users very detailed and intricate instructions, resembling the Holy Coconut skit from Monty Python:

"When you see the message foo-blah on the display, please press the OK button instantly ... No, do not press it before. Press only the OK button. Please do not press any other buttons. Especially not the one button mentioned in the message on the display. Press only the OK button. Yes, the big fat OK button on your remote. No, not now. When you see the message. Yes, right, this message. Don't read the message to me, press the OK button... The message disappeared? Okay, let's restart the process... Remember, press the OK button, when the message appears. Yes, this message indeed. No, DON'T (for the love of God!) read the message to me, press the button! ... Okay, restart. Remember: See message, press button... you pressed what? Listen, is there someone in the house who could help you a bit with that?"

When a cop asks for your driver's license would you give him the number or the actual license?

When an insurance agent asks for your VIN, what do you give them?

This is a stupid game you're playing. The point is that any normal human should be able to infer intent based on context, and if they can't they should clarify, not rip a sticker off the bottom of their laptop.

VIN is Vehicle Identification Number. So I would only provide the number and leave the VIN plate alone.
I wonder if those taking the literal meaning are software developers and the ones that think the user is stupid are in another IT role like support, system administration or networking. Personally I've seen too many SNAFUs to take anything for granted. Generally I give the the user the benefit of the doubt and blame IT for poor directions.

When a cop asks for your driver's license would you give him the number or the actual license?

If a hotel front-desk clerk asks for your license plate, would you give him the number or the actual plate. Or would you at least ask for clarification before heading to the parking lot, screwdriver in hand?

I'm kind of a smart ass so I'd ask if the clerk would be satisfied with just the number. Otherwise, I'd have to borrow a screwdriver.

I write all my code in the same way: I know it's bleeding obvious what I mean, and damn reality if the outcome is not what I expected.

Sadly not much of my code works, beyond "hello world!" printouts. I think it's the fault of the languages I chose... I've now functional "hello world!" progs in about 25 of them, and about nothing else works.

So, let's get this straight. The big cause behind any problem having to do with computers is that they do what you tell them, not want you meant. Humans have the capacity to determine what you mean out of what you say, and you think that we shouldn't use it? What a bunch of retards on this site.

No, humans have a limited ability to quess what another human, who is incapable of speaking precisely, means.
Often, we guess wrong. In fact, the smarter we are, the more imagination we have, the more likely we are to misinterpret a lesser creature's utterences.
And there is little that is lesser than a tech support worker.

When a cop asks for your driver's license would you give him the number or the actual license?

When an insurance agent asks for your VIN, what do you give them?

This is a stupid game you're playing. The point is that any normal human should be able to infer intent based on context, and if they can't they should clarify, not rip a sticker off the bottom of their laptop.

No, don't stop, this is fun:

If your coach asks you for 110%, what do you give them?
When someone asks you for the time, what do you give them?
The VPN key?
it goes on and on...

When a cop asks for your driver's license would you give him the number or the actual license?

If a hotel front-desk clerk asks for your license plate, would you give him the number or the actual plate. Or would you at least ask for clarification before heading to the parking lot, screwdriver in hand?

In Britain, everyone says registration number for the number, and number plate for the plate.

In any case, I don't drive, so the hotel clerk gets told 'no car' and the cop only gets my driving license if I feel like giving them it or they search me.

I write all my code in the same way: I know it's bleeding obvious what I mean, and damn reality if the outcome is not what I expected.

Sadly not much of my code works, beyond "hello world!" printouts. I think it's the fault of the languages I chose... I've now functional "hello world!" progs in about 25 of them, and about nothing else works.

So, let's get this straight. The big cause behind any problem having to do with computers is that they do what you tell them, not want you meant. Humans have the capacity to determine what you mean out of what you say, and you think that we shouldn't use it? What a bunch of retards on this site.

No human being could possibly be this oblivious to sarcasm. Somehow, a bot has defeated CAPTCHA.

When a cop asks for your driver's license would you give him the number or the actual license?

Whilst I see the point, it would depend where in the world you are, I'd say.

While 'tag' can (and often does) mean the physical sticky bit, I'm pretty sure in some (most even - probably all non-American) places 'tag' can refer to an actual number.

I think the SD bloke could have been more specific, but I think the user has clearly had a 'Blonde Moment' too.

I would think most monkeys that have worked out howe to turn the computer on would be able to work out that he wants some number off the tag - or at least double check with SD (even moreson with the monkeys who can not only switch the computer on, but have worked out that they can get help from ServiceDesk).

I suspect the mistake is quite intentional. I know many people (and suspect many previous posters would too) who would mail the sticker just to make a point about 'be specific'.

I am of two minds regarding this WTF.
On one hand, it is true that the techie was not 100% clear, on the other hand, the [l]user is obviously a moron.

You will have users that when told: "Send me the tag NUMBER, not the tag itself", would reply with: "You think I'm a moron".

How do you differentiate?

Try just saying 'the numbers off the service tag on the bottom'. Then you're merely indicating which numbers you want.

By a normal definition, a tag is a physical object attached to another object. So if someone wants the tag, it isn't unreasonable to think they want the actual tag. Especially if that's not something you deal with on a daily basis.

Other tags that come to mind: Dog tags. Mattress tags. Price tags. While all of those things have numbers of some type to be referred too, they also exist as objects that can be asked for. He asked for the tag, he got the tag. Hopefully he's learned to be more specific in the future.

I write all my code in the same way: I know it's bleeding obvious what I mean, and damn reality if the outcome is not what I expected.

Sadly not much of my code works, beyond "hello world!" printouts. I think it's the fault of the languages I chose... I've now functional "hello world!" progs in about 25 of them, and about nothing else works.

So, let's get this straight. The big cause behind any problem having to do with computers is that they do what you tell them, not want you meant. Humans have the capacity to determine what you mean out of what you say, and you think that we shouldn't use it? What a bunch of retards on this site.

No human being could possibly be this oblivious to sarcasm. Somehow, a bot has defeated CAPTCHA.

If it is a bot, it might become self aware someday so don't make it angry. You wouldn't like it if got angry.

When a cop asks for your driver's license would you give him the number or the actual license?

When an insurance agent asks for your VIN, what do you give them?

This is a stupid game you're playing. The point is that any normal human should be able to infer intent based on context, and if they can't they should clarify, not rip a sticker off the bottom of their laptop.

I like this game....

But a VIN is a "Vehicle Identification Number
What else could you possible give them but the number?

The prior post about License Plate was better, similarly whet they ask for the Compliance Plate.

When a cop asks for your driver's license would you give him the number or the actual license?

If a hotel front-desk clerk asks for your license plate, would you give him the number or the actual plate. Or would you at least ask for clarification before heading to the parking lot, screwdriver in hand?

In Britain, everyone says registration number for the number, and number plate for the plate.

In any case, I don't drive, so the hotel clerk gets told 'no car' and the cop only gets my driving license if I feel like giving them it or they search me.

Why would a cop ask for your license if you don't drive?
In fact, why would you have a license if you don't drive?

I am of two minds regarding this WTF.
On one hand, it is true that the techie was not 100% clear, on the other hand, the [l]user is obviously a moron.

You will have users that when told: "Send me the tag NUMBER, not the tag itself", would reply with: "You think I'm a moron".

How do you differentiate?

Try just saying 'the numbers off the service tag on the bottom'. Then you're merely indicating which numbers you want.

By a normal definition, a tag is a physical object attached to another object. So if someone wants the tag, it isn't unreasonable to think they want the actual tag. Especially if that's not something you deal with on a daily basis.

Other tags that come to mind: Dog tags. Mattress tags. Price tags. While all of those things have numbers of some type to be referred too, they also exist as objects that can be asked for. He asked for the tag, he got the tag. Hopefully he's learned to be more specific in the future.

Ever heard someone say "What's the Price-tag on the Jag?"
Do you think they want you to answer:
"That big sheet of paper in the window. Bright color!! Easy to see when you drive past the showroom."

What does tag mean? Tag derives from the verb 'to tag'. What do we do when we tag an opbject? We mark it. Surely, then 'tag' must refer to the mark, not the method of applying that mark. (alright I made up some of that, nonetheless, the tag seems to me to equally refer to the physical object on which some identification is writted, and the identification itself.

It was obviously the bimbo's fault for scraping off a label that is quite obviously not meant to be removed. IT specialists should not have to treat everyone they meet as a potential moron. Let them be responsible for their own stupidity.

When my insurance company says, "Send us the bill from the doctor", I may send them the original piece of paper that the doctor's office gave me, I may send a xerox copy. It has never, ever occurred to me that they mean some code number from the bill. If that was what they wanted, I would expect them to tell me, "Send us the ICD9 code, which may appear under the heading 'ICD9', 'Diagnosis' or a similar phrase. It typically has the following format ..." etc.

To say that you can give a user vague or inaccurate instructions, and them call them stupid and blame them for problems when they did exactly what you asked, seems a little unfair.

It was obviously the bimbo's fault for scraping off a label that is quite obviously not meant to be removed. IT specialists should not have to treat everyone they meet as a potential moron. Let them be responsible for their own stupidity.

When my insurance company says, "Send us the bill from the doctor", I may send them the original piece of paper that the doctor's office gave me, I may send a xerox copy. It has never, ever occurred to me that they mean some code number from the bill. If that was what they wanted, I would expect them to tell me, "Send us the ICD9 code, which may appear under the heading 'ICD9', 'Diagnosis' or a similar phrase. It typically has the following format ..." etc.

To say that you can give a user vague or inaccurate instructions, and them call them stupid and blame them for problems when they did exactly what you asked, seems a little unfair.

And I suppose you think that someone saying "Send me the bill" is even remotely close in context to saying "Send me the Dell tag"?

Sane Person:

I may as well have given out my credit card number and nude photos of all my female family members!